Biden-Harris Administration to Provide $93 Million in Grants for Research and Development at HBCUs, TCCUs, MSIs, and Postsecondary Completion for Underserved Students

The Department of Education in the United States has announced today that it is granting $93 million to 20 colleges and universities. The purpose of these grants is to support research and development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and to improve completion rates for underserved students.

The grants are being awarded through two programs, namely the Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) program and the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program. The RDI program aims to enhance research infrastructure at HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs by strengthening research productivity, faculty expertise, physical infrastructure, and partnerships leading to increases in external funding. On the other hand, the PSSG program aims to improve postsecondary student outcomes by leveraging data and implementing evidence-based approaches.

The Department’s funding commitment builds on the $25 billion that has already been provided to HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs since President Biden took office. More specifically, HBCUs have received $7.3 billion, TCCUs have received $474.5 million, and MSIs have received $18.1 billion.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for underserved students to succeed in today’s most cutting-edge fields. He stated, “These grant awards will help many of our nation’s most inclusive and diverse colleges and universities expand their capacity to drive research and innovation, and propel more students to graduation day and fulfilling careers. This is how we Raise the Bar for college excellence and attainment in this country and close equity gaps in higher education that have no place in the 21st century.”

Under the RDI program, grants will be awarded to five HBCUs, two TCCUs, three Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and a dual HSI and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

For HBCUs and MSIs, the grant funding will support an increase in research activity to move from the Doctoral and Professional Universities (D/PU) classification toward the Doctoral Universities with High Research Activity (R2) classification, and potentially to the Doctoral Universities with Very High Research Activity (R1) category. For TCCUs, the funds will support an increase in research activities, undergraduate research opportunities, faculty development, and infrastructure development.

Additionally, grants through the PSSG program will be provided to nine institutions. These grants will fund evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes for underserved students. Six grantees are in the early phase, while three grantees are in the mid-phase/expansion phase based on existing research validating their effectiveness.

Below is the list of awardees for the RDI program:

– Hampton University (Virginia) – $4,962,986
– Southern University and A&M College (Louisiana) – $4,999,999
– University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Maryland) – $4,680,568
– Texas Southern University (Texas) – $4,996,543
– Tennessee State University (Tennessee) – $4,946,573
– United Tribes Technical College (North Dakota) – $2,000,000
– Blackfeet Community College (Montana) – $1,999,840
– City College of New York (New York) – $5,000,000
– The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (Texas) – $5,000,000
– California State University, Fullerton (California) – $4,997,384
– Roosevelt University (Illinois) – $4,991,504

And below is the list of awardees for the PSSG program:

– The University System of Maryland (Maryland) – $3,999,582
– Long Beach City College (California) – $4,000,000
– Saint Peter’s University (New Jersey) – $3,844,614
– California State University, Fullerton (California) – $3,999,436
– Tulsa Community College (Oklahoma) – $3,717,502
– University of California, Berkeley (California) – $3,034,708
– City College of New York (New York) – $7,319,134
– Colorado State University System (Colorado) – $7,844,905
– Georgia State University (Georgia) – $7,578,694

These grants aim to support institutions in their research and academic endeavors while promoting inclusivity and improving outcomes for underserved students.